Pet healthcare problems can be costly. Even treating common issues such as an ear infection or broken leg can cost hundreds of dollars.

Nationwide shocked some pet owners this spring by abruptly canceling their policies and informing them that chronic or incurable conditions for their animals would no longer be covered in future policies.

Coverage for pre-existing conditions

Nationwide Pet Insurance offers several plans designed specifically for cat and dog owners. Their most popular plan, Whole Pet with Wellness, covers 90% of medical expenses with an annual deductible of $250; additionally it includes hereditary coverage without waiting periods for chronic conditions. Other plans such as Major Medical may not offer these benefits but still provide more affordable coverage – no maximum payout per incident and no maximum payout amount per incident are also excluded from reimbursement amounts such as waste disposal, tax, boarding or grooming fees.

Most pet insurance providers do not cover pre-existing conditions in your pet before their policy goes into effect, for instance hip dysplasia in one leg prior to policy take up is considered preexisting and therefore likely won’t be covered under coverage for both legs unless curable preexisting conditions can be covered within one year symptom-free coverage period. Some providers review curable preexisting conditions after one year as evidenced by symptoms-free coverage to decide whether they should cover them or not.

Nationwide Pet Insurance stands out among pet insurance providers by offering this unique coverage option. Their customer service representatives have experience dealing with pet owners and are friendly, helpful and can even suggest which veterinarian you visit if your pet becomes sick. Furthermore, by choosing Nationwide, any veterinarian of your choice can be used with savings up to 40% on veterinary bills – many customers report saving thousands by choosing coverage that’s tailored just to their pets’ needs!

Waiting periods

Nationwide Pet Insurance (formerly VPI), now known as Nationwide Pet Insurance, has provided comprehensive plans for cats, dogs, and exotic pets since 1980. Their plans cover everything from accidents, illnesses, behavioral therapies and alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic to routine costs like vaccines, fecal tests and heartworm prevention; unfortunately grooming expenses aren’t included as part of coverage options.

Nationwide offers 14-day waiting periods for most preexisting conditions, while its waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries is 12 months compared with 24 months for other pet insurers. Other pet insurers may have shorter waiting periods; MetLife for instance provides coverage against hereditary and congenital diseases, dental disease and alternative therapies with its 12-month cruciate ligament injury waiting period being shorter than industry norm.

Nationwide provides annual maximums, which vary based on plan type and age of pet, depending on which policy the customer purchases. Maximum coverage on Whole Pet plans is $10,000 while individual condition policies have different maximum coverage caps. Most policies also feature deductible payments which must be made out-of-pocket before claims will be covered by insurer.

Medical history review

Nationwide Pet Insurance stands out as the premier pet insurer, boasting both experience and stability to provide comprehensive preexisting condition coverage options for its customers. Premiums vary by state depending on breed, age, coverage selected and additional services such as behavioral therapy, prescription food or microchipping. Plus! They even provide discounts when insuring multiple pets at once!

To assess whether the current or past health problems of your pet could impact its policy, request a medical history review with Nationwide or another insurer. They’ll provide a full breakdown of what is considered pre-existing conditions – this information will allow you to decide if getting coverage with them or elsewhere is best.

Many pet policies cover curable pre-existing conditions provided your pet has been symptom-free for a specific amount of time; however, certain companies like MetLife don’t cover cured conditions but rather only those which remain symptom-free over time.

Though some individuals may be dismayed by Nationwide’s decision to end coverage for preexisting conditions, others remain hopeful of finding alternative plans elsewhere. Meanwhile, those with Nationwide pet insurance can still file claims for their animals’ treatments; however they must meet either a waiting period requirement or cover any out-of-pocket costs themselves.

Exclusions

Nationwide pet insurance policies cover accidents, illnesses and hereditary diseases – as well as surgeries associated with them – through exams, treatments and surgeries covered under its policy; alternative therapies provided through prescription food supplements as well as alternative therapies like fecal tests and vaccines as well as regular dental treatments are covered as routine expenses. It also offers coverage up to $10,000 annual coverage limit per policy with various annual deductible options that may differ by plan type.

Certain insurers require a full medical history review prior to providing pre-existing condition coverage, which will provide an outline of which conditions qualify as pre-existing and which ones might qualify after an initial waiting period or symptom-free period. Depending on your insurer, this process can also help identify curable and incurable diseases to help determine whether your pet can qualify for coverage under a new policy.

Lynch makes purchasing a pet insurance policy from Nationwide straightforward. Simply visit a vet and submit an itemized bill along with basic forms; after which, submit a claim for treatment costs to Nationwide; they offer different policy options that meet individual needs such as annual limits and deductibles as well as coverage for prescription food or wellness.